North Columbus News

The latest sports craze, pickleball, is causing some homeowners distress. Residents living next to pickleball courts report that the constant popping noise of a hard paddle hitting a wiffle ball is disruptive and, in some cases, making it difficult to sell their homes. The proximity of these courts to residential areas has even led to lawsuits.

In a recent case, a couple from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, blamed the noise from nearby pickleball courts for preventing the sale of their $1 million home over the past eight months despite price reductions. Homeowner Judith Comeau compared the noise to "a vacuum cleaner constantly running" and has hired an attorney to seek the removal of the courts.

Complaints about pickleball are increasing as more cities and neighborhoods add courts due to public demand. This trend means more homeowners may find themselves living near pickleball activity. Potential home buyers are also starting to question whether they can tolerate the constant noise.

To address these concerns, firms are offering sound-proofing solutions for noisy courts. Spendiarian & Willis Acoustics & Noise Control told KPBS in San Diego that it has conducted around 80 pickleball noise consultations since 2010. Their research suggests that lowering courts several feet into the ground and constructing sound barriers can mitigate noise for courts within 350 feet of homes. They advise against building courts within 100 feet of residences.

Additionally, companies are developing quieter paddles and balls, although some enthusiasts argue this changes the game. USA Pickleball has certified the OWL paddle, which claims to reduce noise by up to 50% compared to standard paddles.

Despite these issues, many real estate professionals do not see nearby pickleball courts as a negative when listing homes for sale. Zillow research indicates a 64% increase this year in references to pickleball in home listings.

Elyse Sarnecky, director of marketing at Marketplace Homes, noted that nearby pickleball courts have been advantageous in certain sales. In Tampa, Florida, her company launched "pickleball ad campaigns" targeting nearby apartment communities geared towards ages 55-and-up and mailed themed postcards to attract potential buyers interested in living close to the courts. "This is a great example of taking what could potentially be a negative and turning it into a positive," Sarnecky said. The home sold above asking price at $520,000 (originally listed for $515,000), with Sarnecky crediting the proximity of the courts as a significant draw.

Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, CEO/Designated Broker at Integrity All Stars Realty in Chandler, Arizona, likened complaints about pickleball noise to those about freeway or power line noise. "When it comes to noise objections, it's very personal," she said. She added that some people aren't as "noise sensitive" as others and believes that as long as homes are priced appropriately for the market, they will sell regardless of nearby pickleball activity.